Appreciating Books Through Music
Posted by ovplyouth on September 4, 2007
As part of our We The People grant the Oro Valley Public Library received a copy of the CD Happy Land: Musical Tributes to Laura Ingalls Wilder. In an interview recorded more than two years ago Dale Cockrell discussed the inspiration for the music compilation with VUCAST, Vanderbilt University’s News Network. This CD compiles music from the Little House books with a little updating. Cockrell notes that the old time music Pa played would sound a little thin to our modern ears. The music recorded on the disc is a blend of old time and bluegrass and is not “kidded down” so that adults and children can enjoy the music together. As a fan of bluegrass music I can certainly vouch for the beauty of this recording, and it easily deserves equal footing with recent compilations like the soundtracks for O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Cold Mountain. Since music plays such an integral role in Wilder’s stories, being able to hear some of the songs that were important to the Ingalls family and to American pioneers adds a new dimension to our enjoyment and understanding of the books. Please reserve a copy of this CD and enjoy Laura Ingalls Wilder’s stories in a new light.
